Rangers D Staal out of Game 4 vs. Capitals, but LW Clowe back in for New York

NEW YORK – Marc Staal's return to the New York Rangers' lineup following a serious eye injury lasted only one game as he is sitting out Game 4 of the first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Staal played on Monday for the first time since March 5 when he was struck in the right eye by a deflected puck. Vision problems forced him to miss 29 games before he got back into action.

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Steve Eminger, who played in the first two games of the series, went back into the lineup. Staal took part in the Rangers' optional morning skate and had been expected to play.

The Rangers, however, got rugged forward Ryane Clowe back after he sat for four games because of a suspected concussion sustained April 25 at Carolina. He replaced Darroll Powe, who was injured Monday in New York's 4-3 win that cut its series deficit to 2-1.